Water toy

ABSTRACT

A water toy is provided which starts to move in different ways by the participation of a player in a play. A water toy is a water toy which pumps up stored water for discharge and includes a pump unit having in an interior thereof an electric pump for pumping up water and configured to pump up the water disposed below a toy main body, a power supply, a power supply switch configured to control an electric current supplied to the electric pump to activate or stop the electric pump, and a plurality of water discharge devices provided directly in the toy main body or coupled to the toy main body for discharging stored water, and a flow channel switching device configured to switch water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 ofJapanese Utility Model Application No. 2012-000160 filed on Jan. 16,2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a water toy which is played with usingwater.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, many toys have been sold with which infants or childrencan play in bathtubs or swimming pools. For example, dolls floating onwater or toys moving on water by means of a motor represent such watertoys. In recent years, as designing techniques of toys for infants orchildren advance, many toys have been developed with which infants orchildren, who are quick in getting tired of playing with toys and whoalso grow quickly, can play for a long period of time. Among these toys,the development of toys using a flow of water from a tap or toys using amotor for pumping up water is increasing. For example, Japanese UtilityModel Registration No. 3039377 (Patent Literature 1) proposes atechnique in which water in a water tank having a stopcock provided at abottom portion is discharged from the water tank by opening thestopcock, so that a waterwheel is rotated by the water, and the rotationof the waterwheel causes a plurality of operating portions to oscillate.

However, the motion of the water toy described in Patent Literature 1 issimple and monotonous, and the water toy automatically operates based ona presetting or preparation. Thus, the water toy is deferent from a toywhich causes a player to voluntarily participate in a play.

SUMMARY

The invention has been made in view of the problem inherent in therelated art, and an object thereof is to provide a water toy whichoperates in different ways by a positive participation of a player in aplay.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a water toywhich pumps up stored water for discharge, comprising a pump unit havingin an interior thereof an electric pump for pumping up stored water andconfigured to pump up the water disposed below a toy main body; a powersupply switch electrically connected to the electric pump and a powersupply and configured to control an electric current supplied to theelectric pump to activate or stop the electric pump; a plurality ofwater discharge devices provided directly in the toy main body orcoupled to the toy main body for discharging stored water, wherein theplurality of water discharge devices discharging therefrom water pumpedup by the pump unit; and a flow channel switching device configured toswitch water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices.

Further, in the water toy according to the aspect of the invention, thetoy main body has a waterwheel, the plurality of water discharge devicesare a first water discharge portion which is a first water dischargedevice and a second water discharge portion which is a second waterdischarge device, the first water discharge portion is an upper holeportion in the toy main body, the second water discharge portion is afront mouth portion in the toy main body, and the waterwheel rotateswhen water is discharged from the mouth portion.

In addition, in the water toy according to the aspect of the invention,the hole portion which is the first water discharge device which isswitched to discharge water by the flow channel switching device is madeinto a coupling device, and the water toy includes a plurality of figureshaped members configured to be detachably attached to the hole portion.

Additionally, the water toy according to the aspect of the inventionincludes, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a firstfigure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion whichis the first water discharge device to thereby discharge water from aplurality of portions in association with water being discharged intothe first water discharge device.

Further, the water toy according to the aspect of the inventionincludes, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a secondfigure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion whichis the first water discharge device to thereby rotate in associationwith water being discharged into the first water discharge device.

Additionally, in the water toy according to the aspect of the invention,the second figure shaped member can be coupled to the first figureshaped member.

In addition, the water toy according to the aspect of the inventionincludes, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a thirdfigure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion whichis the first water discharge device not only to thereby cause aspherical element to float from a spherical element accommodatingportion in association with water being discharged into the first waterdischarge device but also to thereby hold the spherical element in sucha floating state by the discharge of water.

Further, the water toy according to the aspect of the invention haspositioning and resting hole portions which are provided on an uppersurface of the toy main body and where the plurality of figure shapedmembers can be positioned to rest.

According to the water toy of the aspect of the invention, it ispossible to provide the toy which starts moving in different ways by theparticipation of the player in the play.

Further, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,since the water toy has the plurality of water discharge devices whichdischarge the pumped up water and includes the flow channel switchingdevice configured to switch the water channels reaching the plurality ofwater discharge devices, water jetting from the water discharge devicescan cause various actions, which prevents the player from getting tiredof playing with the water toy, thereby making it possible for the watertoy to be used for a long time.

In addition, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,the player can enjoy watching the waterwheel rotating as a result ofwater being discharged from the mouth portion which is the waterdischarge device in the toy main body.

Additionally, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,since the hole portion which is the water discharge device is made intothe coupling device so as to allow the plurality of figure shapedmembers to be freely attached to or detached from the hole portion, theplayer can select any of the plurality of figure shaped members so thathe or she can play with the water toy in various ways.

In addition, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,since the water toy includes the first figure shaped member which candischarge water from the plurality of portions, in addition to theadvantage that the player can develop an interest in the figure, theplayer can enjoy watching water discharged in different ways.

Further, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,since the water toy includes the second figure shaped member whichrotates in association with the discharge of water to the waterdischarge device, the player can be prevented from getting tired ofplaying with the water toy, thereby making it possible for the water toyto be used for a long time.

In addition, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,since the second figure shaped member can be coupled to the first figureshaped member, the first figure shaped member can discharge jets ofwater while the second figure shaped member is rotating, whereby theplayer is allowed to develop his or her interest in the water toy.

Then, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention, sincethe water toy includes the third figure shaped member configured notonly to cause the spherical element to float from the spherical elementaccommodating portion in association with water being discharged intothe first water discharge device but also to hold the spherical elementin such a floating state by the discharge of water, the water toy isallowed to cause the player to have an interest in the spherical elementwhich is floating in the air.

Further, according to the water toy of the aspect of the invention,since the water toy has the positioning hole portions where theplurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest in theupper surface thereof, the figure shaped members which are accessoriescan easily be mounted on the water toy in an alternate fashion, and theloss of the figure shaped members can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting an external view of a water toyaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting an interior of the water toyaccording to the embodiment of the invention with an upper casingremoved.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a firstfigure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first figure shaped memberof the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of asecond figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second figure shapedmember of the water toy according to the embodiment of the invention inwhich the second figure shaped member is divided into three parts.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view, as seen from therebelow, of thesecond figure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodimentof the invention in which the second figure shaped member is dividedinto five parts.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a thirdfigure shaped member of the water toy according to the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of thewater toy in which the first figure shaped member is placed on a mainbody figure shaped member.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of thewater toy in which the second figure shaped member is placed on the mainbody figure shaped member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of thewater toy in which the second figure shaped member is placed on thefirst figure shaped member resting on the main body figure shapedmember.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of thewater toy in which the third figure shaped member is placed on the mainbody figure shaped member.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention will be described.

A water toy 100 of the invention is a water toy 100 which pumps upstored water to discharge it and has in an interior thereof an electricpump 31 which pumps up stored water. Additionally, the water toy 100includes a pump unit 30 for pumping up water, and this pump unit 30 isdisposed at a lower portion in a toy main body 10. In addition, thewater toy 100 includes water discharge devices that are provideddirectly in the toy main body 10 or which are coupled to the toy mainbody 10 to discharge water stored. Further, the water toy 100 has waterdischarge devices configured to discharge water which is pumped up bythe pump unit 30 at a plurality of locations and includes a flow channelswitching switch which is a flow channel switching device for switchingwater channels reaching the water discharge devices at the plurality oflocations.

Further, in the water toy 100, the toy main body 10 has a waterwheel 27.The water discharge devices are a first water discharge portion which isa first water discharge device and a second water discharge portionwhich is a second water discharge device. The first water dischargeportion is an upper hole portion 28 in the toy main body 10, and thesecond water discharge portion is a main body figure shaped member mouthportion 21 which is a front mouth portion of the toy main body 10. Whenwater is discharged from the main body figure shaped member mouthportion 21, the waterwheel 27 is rotated by the water so discharged.

Additionally, in the water toy 100, the hole portion 28 which is thefirst water discharge device which is switched to discharge water by theflow channel switching switch 41 is made into a coupling device, and thewater toy 100 has a plurality of figure shaped members which candetachably be attached to this hole portion 28.

As one of the plurality of figure shaped members, the water toy 100 hasa first figure shaped member 50 which is configured to be fitted in thehole portion 28 which is the first water discharge device to dischargewater from a plurality of portions thereof in association with waterbeing discharged into the first water discharge device.

Additionally, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, thewater toy 100 has a second figure shaped member 60 which is configuredto be fitted in the hole portion 28 which is the first water dischargedevice to rotate in association with water being discharged into thefirst water discharge device.

In addition, in the water toy 100, the second figure shaped member 60can be coupled to the first figure shaped member 50.

Further, as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, the water toy100 has a third figure shaped member 70 which is configured to be fittedin the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge device so thata spherical element 75 is allowed to float from a basket portion 71which is a spherical element accommodating portion in association withwater being discharged into the first water discharge device to therebyhold the spherical element in such a floating state by the discharge ofwater.

In addition, positioning holes 11, 12, 13 are provided in the uppersurface of the toy main body 10 where the plurality of figure shapedmembers can be positioned to rest.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detailby reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting an external appearance of a watertoy 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is aperspective view depicting an interior of the water toy 100 with anupper casing 15 removed. It should be noted that in the water toy 100, amain body figure shaped member 20 is situated in a central position asshown in FIG. 1 and is shaped like a whale and a side which a face ofthe whale faces denotes a “front side” of the water toy 100 hereinafterand a side which a tail of the whale faces denotes a “rear side” of thewater toy 100 hereinafter. In addition, it should be noted that a sidewith which a blowhole on top of a head of the whale is provided denotesan “upper side” of the water toy 100 hereinafter and a side where aportion of the whale is immersed in water in a storage tank denotes a“lower side” of the water toy 100. Further, it should be noted that leftand right when viewing the water toy 100 from the front side thereofdenotes a left side and right side of the water toy 100, respectively.

A toy according to this embodiment is a water toy 100 that is used bybeing immersed in water in a water storage tank like a bathtub in abathroom. This water toy 100 is characterized in that water in the waterstorage tank is pumped up by an electric pump 31 to be discharged from aplurality of water discharge devices provided in a toy main body 10.

The water toy 100 includes the toy main body 10 and a plurality offigure shaped members configured to be attached to the toy main body 10.As shown in FIG. 1, the toy main body 10 includes float portions 17 thatare formed into a semi-spherical shape in four corners of a cubical bodyand which each include a buoyant material such as an expandedpolystyrene foam in an interior thereof. The toy main body 10 alsoincludes positioning hole portions which are provided in upper surfacesof the float portions 17 as portions where figure shaped members areplaced and a semi-spherical power supply switch 40 configured toactivate the electric pump 31. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, thepower supply switch 40 has a power supply switch main body 43 in aninterior of a lower casing 16.

The figure shaped member 20 which is shaped like a whale is disposed inthe center of an upper surface of the toy main body 10. Additionally, inthe toy main body 10, a waterwheel 27 is disposed in front of a mainbody figure shaped member mouth portion 21 of the main body figureshaped member 20.

Further, the toy main body 10 has a lever-type flow channel switchingswitch 41 at the rear of the main body figure shaped member 20, and thisflow channel switching switch 41 switches water jetting ports.Additionally, slit-shaped water inlet holes 14 from which water entersthe water toy 100 are formed between the semi-spherical float portions17 which are positioned in the four corners of the toy main body 10.

The main body figure shaped member 20, which is shaped like a whale, isdisposed substantially in the center of the upper surface of the toymain body 10. A hole portion 28, which is a first water dischargeportion, is formed on top of the main body figure shaped member 20 andis imagined as a blowhole on top of a head of a whale. Then, water canbe discharged in jets from this hole portion 28 which functions as awater discharge device. Additionally, the main body figure shaped member20 has another water discharge device, which is a second water dischargeportion, and in this water discharge device, water is discharged in jetsfrom the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21, whichrepresents a mouth of a whale. Then, the waterwheel 27 situated in frontof the main body figure shaped member mouth portion 21 can be rotated bywater discharged from the second water discharge portion.

In addition, the water toy 100 has a first figure shaped member 50, asecond figure shaped member 60 and a third figure shaped member 70 asdetachable figure shaped members.

Positioning and resting hole portions 11, 12, 13 are formed in the upperhousing 15 as shown in FIG. 2 in positions which lie above respectiveupper surfaces of the float portions 17 of the toy main body 10, so thatthe first figure shaped member 50, the second figure shaped member 60and the third figure shaped member 70 can be disposed and restedtherein, whereby the individual figure shaped members can be placed torest on the toy main body 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

Additionally, the first figure shaped member 50, the second figureshaped member 60 and the third figure shaped member 70 can detachably beattached to the hole portion 28 as the first water discharge portion ofthe main body figure shaped member 20.

In the water toy 100, as shown in FIG. 2, a battery box 80 is disposedsubstantially in the center of the interior of the lower casing 16. TwoC size batteries can be loaded in the battery box 80 by opening abattery box lid which is provided in a bottom portion of the toy mainbody 10. Additionally, a rubber packing is installed in a connectingportion between the battery box lid and the toy main body 10 so as toseal up the battery box 80.

In the water toy, 100, a pump unit 30 which pumps up water is disposednear the battery box 80. The pump unit 30 pumps up water into theinterior of the toy main body 10 through the water inlet holes 14 to bestored therein and then to be discharged in jets from the waterdischarge device. This pump unit 30 includes a pump water inlet portion38 which is an entrance of water to the interior thereof, a waterpurifying filter 33 which is disposed near the pump water inlet portion38, the electric pump 31 which is disposed at the rear of the filter 33,and a lifting pipe 34 which guides water that is pumped up by theelectric pump 31 to a flow channel switching mechanism which ispositioned upwards. This flow channel switching mechanism will bedescribed later.

The electric pump 31 includes a pump screw, a motor 32 which drivesrotationally the pump screw, a motor compartment which accommodates themotor 32 and so on in an interior of a resin pump case. The motorcompartment which accommodates the motor 32 is sealed up by providing arubber packing at a portion where the constituent members are coupledtogether so that water stored in the interior of the water toy 100 isprevented from being flooded into the motor compartment. In the electricpump 31, terminals of the battery box 80 and the power supply switch 40are wired in an interior of a sealed case, so that electric power issupplied to the motor 32.

The flow channel switching mechanism is linked with a lever of the flowchannel switching switch 41 so as to operate as the lever is operatedand switches a flow channel of water which is pumped up via the liftingpipe 34 to the first water discharge portion or the second waterdischarge portion.

Specifically speaking, a flow channel switching member 37 is disposed ata distal end of the lifting pipe 34 that is fixed and which is made upof a pipe which lifts water upwards therethrough. This flow channelswitching member 37 includes a plate material that is made of a hardresin and which is integrated with the flow channel switching switch 41so as to rotate by a predetermined angle in association with theoperation of the lever, a first pipe 35 that is mounted on the platematerial and which communicates with a pipe leading to the hole portion28 which is the first water discharge portion and a second pipe 36 whichcommunicates with a pipe leading to the main body figure shaped membermouth portion 21 which is the second water discharge portion. Then, theflow channel switching member 37 is disposed at the lifting pipe 34 soas to rotate by the predetermined angle in a horizontal direction.

The first pipe 35 of the flow channel switching member 37 is a hollowcylindrical pipe which directly guides upwards water guided from thelifting pipe 34 which is disposed therebelow so as to send water to thefirst water discharge portion which is the hole portion 28. The firstpipe 35 is slid to the left by the flow channel switching switch 41, andthe flow channel switching member 37 rotates in the way described above,whereby the lifting pipe 34 and a flow channel defined by the first pipe35 are made coaxial with each other in a vertical direction, and wateris then guided upwards.

The second pipe 36 of the flow channel switching member 37 is a hollowcylindrical pipe which is closed at an upper surface thereof and isopened in a predetermined side thereof to form an opening 39 so as todirectly send water guided from the lifting pipe 34 which is disposedtherebelow to the second water discharge portion which is the main bodyfigure shaped member mouth portion 21 by changing the direction of waterthrough 90 degrees. The second pipe 36 is slid to the right by the flowchannel switching switch 41 and the flow channel switching member 37rotates in the way described above, whereby the direction of the liftingpipe 34 is changed through 90 degrees by a flow channel defined by thesecond pipe 36, and water is then sent to a pipe 42 which guides waterto the second water discharge portion which is positioned forwardsthereof.

Next, the individual figure shaped members of the water toy 100, whichcan detachably be attached to the toy main body 10, will be described byreference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting anexternal appearance of the first figure shaped member 50 of the watertoy 100. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first figureshaped member 50 of the water toy 100. FIG. 5 is a perspective viewdepicting an external appearance of the second figure shaped member 60of the water toy 100. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of thesecond figure shaped member 60 of the water toy 100, in which the secondfigure shaped member 60 is divided into three portions. FIG. 7 is anexploded perspective view of the second figure shaped member 60 of thewater toy 100 as viewed from therebelow, in which the second figureshaped member 60 is divided into five portions. FIG. 8 is a perspectiveview depicting an external appearance of the third figure shaped member70 of the water toy 100. It should be noted that in the first figureshaped member 50 and the second figure shaped member 60, a face isoriented to the front and that a head is provided upwards while a trunkis provided downwards in a vertical direction. It should also be notedthat left and right when viewing the figure shaped member from the frontthereof denote a left side and right side of the figure shaped member,respectively. In FIGS. 3 and 5, only a nose is represented exemplarilyon the faces of the figure shaped members.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first figure shaped member 50 has a detachablyattaching pipe 58 a which is detachably attached to the hole portion 28which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10,whereby the first figure shaped member 50 can be connected to the firstwater discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching switch 41 isoperated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is dischargedin jets from the first water discharge portion, and the power supplyswitch 40 is depressed to discharge water in jets, whereby water isdischarged in jets from a plurality of water discharge ports which areformed as water discharge devices in the first figure shaped member 50altogether.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the first figure shaped member 50 ismade of a hard resin and represents a person whose face and both handsare put out of a swimming ring. The first figure shaped member 50includes, as water discharge devices, a head water discharge portion 51which is disposed on a head top portion, a right hand water dischargeportion which is disposed at an upper distal end of the right hand and aleft hand water discharge portion 53 which is disposed at an upperdistal end of the left hand.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, in the first figure shaped member 50, afront hollow semi-spherical face portion 54 and a rear hollowsemi-spherical rear head portion are fitted together so as to form ahead. As part of the body below the neck, an upper circular disk-shapedtrunk portion 56 and a lower circular disk-shaped base portion 58 arefitted together to form a trunk. Additionally, a water dividing channelis formed by using an inner body member so as to divide water thatenters within the trunk into three directions.

Then, water discharged in jets from the hole portion 28 which is thefirst water discharge portion of the toy main body 10 is allowed toenter the detachably attaching pipe 58 a which is a cylindrical pipethat is positioned in the center of the base portion 58 so as to extenddownwards from a lower side of the base portion 58. Then, water passesthrough a circular hole which is positioned in the center of the innerbody member and flows onto water dividing channel lower lids 52 a, 53 aof the inner body member which is incorporated in an interior of thetrunk portion 56.

The water flowing onto the water dividing channel lower lids 52 a, 53 arises further and passes through water channels which are divided inthree directions by a water dividing channel which is formed by waterdividing channel upper lids 52 b, 53 b and the water dividing channellower lids 52 a, 53 a in the trunk portion 56 so as to be dischargedfrom the head water discharge portion 51 in the head portion, the righthand water discharge portion 52 at the upper distal end of the righthand and the left hand water discharge portion 53 at the upper distalend of the left hand.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second figure shaped member 60 has a detachablyattaching pipe 68 which is detachably attached to the hole portion 28which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10,whereby the second figure shaped member 60 can be connected to the firstwater discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching switch 41 isoperated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is dischargedin jets from the first water discharge portion, and the power supplyswitch 40 is depressed to discharge water in jets, whereby water isdischarged in jets from a plurality of water discharge ports which areformed in the second figure shaped member 60 altogether, thereby makingit possible to rotate the figure shaped member itself.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the second figure shaped member 60 ismade of a hard resin and represents a person whose face and both handsare put out of a swimming ring. The second figure shaped member 60 has awater discharge device below the swimming ring which discharges water injets from discharge ports 61, 62 while rotating. The discharge ports 61,62 are disposed symmetrically and water is discharged in jets from thedischarge ports 61, 62 in directions tangent to a circumference thatwould be formed by the rotation of the discharge ports 61, 62.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the second figure shaped member 60includes an upper half body portion 63, a discharge portion 64 and abase portion 65. The upper half body portion 63 includes a head which isformed by fitting a face portion 63 a and a rear head portion 63 btogether, both arms and a circular disk portion 63 c. Thus, the upperhalf body portion 63 represents an upper half body of a person. Thedischarge portion 64 includes a water channel having the discharge ports61, 62 that are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center of thesecond figure shaped member 60 and which each discharge water in jets ina counterclockwise direction, a rotational portion 64 a and a rotationalcase portion 64 b. Additionally, the base portion 65 includes a innerbase portion 65 a which supports rotationally the upper half bodyportion 63 and the discharge portion 64 which rotate and an outer baseportion 65 b which is positioned below the inner base portion 65 a.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second figure shaped member 60 includes twocylindrical projecting portion 91, 92 which are disposed in an interiorof the upper half body portion 63 in symmetrical positions with respectto an axis of the upper half body portion 63 so as to extend downwardsfrom a lower side of the circular disk portion 63 c. The cylindricalprojecting portions 91, 92 are brought into engagement with two cutoutengagement portions 93, 94 which are cut out into a fan shape on acircumferential edge of a central cylindrical portion of the rotationalportion 64 a of the discharge portion 64 which is made up of therotational portion 64 a and the rotational case portion 64 b.

Additionally, the rotational portion 64 a of the discharge portion 64includes two discharge tube portions 95, 96 which are arm portions fromwhich water is discharged in jets. The discharge tube portions 95, 96are brought into engagement with discharge tube engagement portions 97,98 which are positioned on a circumferential edge of the rotational caseportion 64 b so as to rotate together with the rotational case portion64 b.

In addition, the rotational case portion 64 b includes a cylindricalrotational shaft 99 formed into a circular cylindrical shape in thecenter of a lower side thereof. Then, the cylindrical rotational shaft99 is supported rotatably by a rotational bearing 99 a which ispositioned in the center of the inner base portion 65 a of the baseportion 65 which is made up of the inner base portion 65 a and the outerbase portion 65 b.

As shown in FIG. 8, the third figure shaped member 70 has a detachablyattaching pipe 78 which is detachably attached to the hole portion 28which is the first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10,whereby the third figure shaped member 70 can be connected to the firstwater discharge portion. Then, the flow channel switching switch 41 isoperated to switch the flow channel of water so that water is dischargedin jets from the first water discharge portion, and the power supplyswitch 40 is depressed to discharge water in jets, whereby water isdischarged in jets from a water discharge port 77 which is positioned inthe center of a basket portion 71 which is a spherical elementaccommodating portion of the third figure shaped member 70 so as to holda state in which a spherical element 75 floats.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 8, the third figure shaped member 70 includesthe basket portion 71 and the spherical element 75 which is accommodatedin the basket portion 71 before water is discharged in jets from thewater discharge port 77. Then, the spherical element 75 is caused tofloat by water discharged in jets from the water discharge port 77.

Next, operations of the figure shaped members when they are attached tothe first water discharge portion of the toy main body 10 will bedescribed by use of the drawings. FIG. 9 is a perspective view depictingan external appearance of the water toy 100 when the first figure shapedmember 50 is placed on the main body figure shaped member 20. FIG. 10 isa perspective view depicting an external appearance of the water toy 100when the second figure shaped member 60 is placed on the main bodyfigure shaped member 20. FIG. 11 is a perspective view depicting anexternal appearance of the water toy 100 when the second figure shapedmember 60 is placed on the first figure shaped member 50 resting on themain body figure shaped member 20. FIG. 12 is a perspective viewdepicting an external appearance of the water toy 100 when the thirdfigure shaped member is placed on the main body figure shaped member 20.

The water toy 100 represents a state in which the figure is placed onthe whale as shown in FIG. 9 by attaching the detachably attaching pipe58 a of the first figure shaped member 50, which can be disposed to restin the positioning and resting hole portion 11 formed in the toy mainbody 10, to the hole portion 28 which is the first water dischargeportion which corresponds to a blowhole portion of the main body figureshaped member 20 which represents a whale.

Then, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channel switchingswitch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that wateris discharged from the first water discharge portion, and the powersupply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets, wherebywater is discharged in jets from the three water discharge devices suchas the head water discharge portion 51, the right hand water dischargeportion 52 and the left hand water discharge portion 53 which are formedin the first figure shaped member 50.

The water toy 100 represents a state in which the figure is placed onthe whale as shown in FIG. 10 by attaching the detachably attaching pipe68 of the second figure shaped member 60, which can be disposed to restin the positioning and resting hole portion 12 formed in the toy mainbody 10, to the hole portion 28 which is the first water dischargeportion which corresponds to the blowhole portion of the main bodyfigure shaped member 20 which represents a whale.

In addition, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channelswitching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water sothat water is discharged from the first water discharge portion, and thepower supply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets,whereby water is discharged in jets from the discharge ports 62, 63which are the water discharge devices formed in the second figure shapedmember 60 and the second figure shaped member 60 itself is rotated.Namely, water discharged from the first water discharge portion of thetoy main body 10 is allowed to enter from the detachably attaching pipe68 of the base portion 65 which is the attaching portion to the toy mainbody 10 which lies below the second figure shaped member 60, whereby thesecond figure shaped member 60 itself rotates in a clockwise directionwhile discharging water from the predetermined portions via the waterchannel in the interior of the second figure shaped member 60.

Further, the water toy 100 represents a state as shown in FIG. 11 inwhich the figures are placed one on the other or in two stages on thewhale by attaching the first figure shaped member 50 to the hole portion28 which is the first water discharge portion of the main body figureshaped member 20 and attaching further the detachably attaching pipe 68of the second figure shaped member 60 to the head water dischargeportion 51 of the first figure shaped member 50.

In addition, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channelswitching switch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water sothat water is discharged from the first water discharge portion, and thepower supply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets,whereby water is discharged in jets from the two portions which are theright hand water discharge portion 52 and the left hand water dischargeportion 53 which are formed in the first figure shaped member 50, aswell as from the discharge ports 62, 63 of the second figure shapedmember 60, and the second figure shaped member 60 itself is rotated.Namely, water discharged from the first water discharge portion of thetoy main body 10 is discharged from the two portions of the first figureshaped member 50 which are the right hand water discharge portion 52 andthe left hand water discharge portion 53. Then, water that should bedischarged from the head water discharge portion 51 is allowed to enterfrom the detachably attaching pipe 68 of the base portion 65 of thesecond figure shaped member 60, whereby the second figure shaped member60 itself can be rotated in the clockwise direction while dischargingwater from the two water discharge devices via the water channel in theinterior of the second figure shaped member 60.

Additionally, the water toy 100 represents a state in which the basketand the spherical element are placed on the whale by attaching the thirdfigure shaped member 70, which can be disposed to rest in thepositioning and resting hole portion 13 formed in the toy main body 10,to the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion whichcorresponds to the blowhole portion of the main body figure shapedmember 20 which represents a whale.

Then, in the water toy 100 in this state, the flow channel switchingswitch 41 is operated to switch the flow channel of water so that wateris discharged from the first water discharge portion, and the powersupply switch 40 is depressed so as to discharge water in jets, wherebyas shown in FIG. 12, the spherical element 75 placed in an interior ofthe basket portion 71 of the third figure shaped member 70 can be causedto float by water discharged in jets from the discharge port 77.

It should be noted that the attachment of the third figure shaped member70 is not limited to the hole portion 28 which is the first waterdischarge portion which corresponds to the blowhole portion of the mainbody figure shaped member 20 which represents a whale. Therefore, aswith the second figure shaped member 60, the third figure shaped member70 is also configured to be attached to the head water discharge portion51 of the first figure shaped member 50 which has already been attachedto the hole portion 28 which is the first water discharge portion.

Thus, according to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible toprovide the water toy 100 which starts to move in the different ways bythe participation of the player in the play.

Further, according to the embodiment of the invention, the water toy 100has the plurality of water discharge devices which discharge waterpumped up and includes the flow channel switching device which switchesthe water channels reaching the plurality of water discharge devices,whereby water can be discharged in jets in the various ways, and hence,the player is prevented from getting tired of playing with the water toy100, thereby making it possible for the water toy 100 to be used for along time.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, the playercan enjoy watching the waterwheel 27 rotating by discharging water fromthe mouth portion which is the second eater discharge device.

Additionally, according to the embodiment of the invention, since thewater toy 100 includes the water discharge device which is made into thecoupling device and the plurality of figure shaped members which candetachably be attached to the coupling device, by allowing the player toselect any of the plurality of figure shaped members for use, it ispossible to provide the water toy 100 with which the player can play inthe various ways.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, since thewater toy 100 includes the first figure shaped member 50 whichdischarges water in jets from the plurality of portions, water can bedischarged in jets in the various ways while causing the player todevelop the interest in the figure.

Further, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the watertoy 100 includes the second figure shaped member 60 in which the figurerotates in association with water being discharged to the waterdischarge device, the player can use the water toy 100 for a long timewhile being prevented from getting tired of playing with the water toy100.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, since thesecond figure shaped member 60 can be coupled to the first figure shapedmember 50, the first figure shaped member 50 discharges water in jets asthe second figure shaped member 60 rotates, thereby making it possibleto cause the player to develop the interest in the water toy 100.

Additionally, according to the embodiment of the invention, since thewater toy 100 includes the third figure shaped member 70 in which thespherical element is caused to float from the spherical elementaccommodating portion in association with water being discharged to thewater discharge device and the state in which the spherical element isfloating is held by the discharge of water, it is possible to cause theplayer to develop the interest in the spherical element floating in theair.

Further, according to the embodiment of the invention, since the watertoy 100 has the positioning and resting hole portions where theplurality of figure shaped member can be positioned to rest on the uppersurface of the toy main body 10, it is possible not only to facilitatethe free replacement of the figure shaped members which are theaccessories for attachment but also to prevent the loss of the figureshaped members.

While the embodiment of the invention has been described, the embodimenthas been described as the example of the invention and hence, there isno intention to limit the scope of the invention by the embodimentdescribed. This novel embodiment can be made in various forms, andvarious omissions, replacements or alterations can be made to theembodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.This embodiment and modifications made thereto are included not only inthe spirit and scope of the invention but also in the scope of claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water toy which pumps up stored water fordischarge, comprising: a pump unit having in an interior thereof anelectric pump for pumping up stored water and configured to pump up thewater disposed below a toy main body; a power supply switch electricallyconnected to the electric pump and a power supply and configured tocontrol an electric current supplied to the electric pump to activate orstop the electric pump; a plurality of water discharge devices provideddirectly in the toy main body or coupled to the toy main body fordischarging stored water, the plurality of water discharge devicesdischarging therefrom water pumped up by the pump unit; and a flowchannel switching device configured to switch water channels reachingthe plurality of water discharge devices.
 2. The water toy according toclaim 1, wherein the toy main body has a waterwheel, wherein theplurality of water discharge devices are a first water discharge portionwhich is a first water discharge device and a second water dischargeportion which is a second water discharge device, wherein the firstwater discharge portion is an upper hole portion in the toy main body,wherein the second water discharge portion is a front mouth portion inthe toy main body, and wherein the waterwheel rotates when water isdischarged from the mouth portion.
 3. The water toy according to claim2, wherein the hole portion which is the first water discharge devicewhich is switched to discharge water by the flow channel switchingdevice is made into a coupling device, the water toy further comprising:a plurality of figure shaped members configured to be detachablyattached to the hole portion.
 4. The water toy according to claim 3,further comprising: as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, afirst figure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portionwhich is the first water discharge device to thereby discharge waterfrom a plurality of portions in association with water being dischargedinto the first water discharge device.
 5. The water toy according toclaim 3, further comprising: as one of the plurality of figure shapedmembers, a second figure shaped member configured to be fitted in thehole portion which is the first water discharge device to thereby rotatein association with water being discharged into the first waterdischarge device.
 6. The water toy according to claim 4, furthercomprising: as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a secondfigure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion whichis the first water discharge device to thereby rotate in associationwith water being discharged into the first water discharge device. 7.The water toy according to claim 5, wherein the second figure shapedmember can be coupled to the first figure shaped member.
 8. The watertoy according to claim 6, wherein the second figure shaped member can becoupled to the first figure shaped member.
 9. The water toy according toclaim 3, further comprising: as one of the plurality of figure shapedmembers, a third figure shaped member configured to be fitted in thehole portion which is the first water discharge device not only tothereby cause a spherical element to float from a spherical elementaccommodating portion in association with water being discharged intothe first water discharge device but also to thereby hold the sphericalelement in such a floating state by the discharge of water.
 10. Thewater toy according to claim 4, further comprising: as one of theplurality of figure shaped members, a third figure shaped memberconfigured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first waterdischarge device not only to thereby cause a spherical element to floatfrom a spherical element accommodating portion in association with waterbeing discharged into the first water discharge device but also tothereby hold the spherical element in such a floating state by thedischarge of water.
 11. The water toy according to claim 5, furthercomprising: as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a thirdfigure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion whichis the first water discharge device not only to thereby cause aspherical element to float from a spherical element accommodatingportion in association with water being discharged into the first waterdischarge device but also to thereby hold the spherical element in sucha floating state by the discharge of water.
 12. The water toy accordingto claim 6, further comprising: as one of the plurality of figure shapedmembers, a third figure shaped member configured to be fitted in thehole portion which is the first water discharge device not only tothereby cause a spherical element to float from a spherical elementaccommodating portion in association with water being discharged intothe first water discharge device but also to thereby hold the sphericalelement in such a floating state by the discharge of water.
 13. Thewater toy according to claim 7, further comprising: as one of theplurality of figure shaped members, a third figure shaped memberconfigured to be fitted in the hole portion which is the first waterdischarge device not only to thereby cause a spherical element to floatfrom a spherical element accommodating portion in association with waterbeing discharged into the first water discharge device but also tothereby hold the spherical element in such a floating state by thedischarge of water.
 14. The water toy according to claim 8, furthercomprising: as one of the plurality of figure shaped members, a thirdfigure shaped member configured to be fitted in the hole portion whichis the first water discharge device not only to thereby cause aspherical element to float from a spherical element accommodatingportion in association with water being discharged into the first waterdischarge device but also to thereby hold the spherical element in sucha floating state by the discharge of water.
 15. The water toy accordingto claim 3, further comprising: positioning and resting hole portionswhich are provided on an upper surface of the toy main body and wherethe plurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest. 16.The water toy according to claim 4, further comprising: positioning andresting hole portions which are provided on an upper surface of the toymain body and where the plurality of figure shaped members can bepositioned to rest.
 17. The water toy according to claim 5, furthercomprising: positioning and resting hole portions which are provided onan upper surface of the toy main body and where the plurality of figureshaped members can be positioned to rest.
 18. The water toy according toclaim 6, further comprising: positioning and resting hole portions whichare provided on an upper surface of the toy main body and where theplurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest.
 19. Thewater toy according to claim 7, further comprising: positioning andresting hole portions which are provided on an upper surface of the toymain body and where the plurality of figure shaped members can bepositioned to rest.
 20. The water toy according to claim 8, furthercomprising: positioning and resting hole portions which are provided onan upper surface of the toy main body and where the plurality of figureshaped members can be positioned to rest.
 21. The water toy according toclaim 9, further comprising: positioning and resting hole portions whichare provided on an upper surface of the toy main body and where theplurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest.
 22. Thewater toy according to claim 10, further comprising: positioning andresting hole portions which are provided on an upper surface of the toymain body and where the plurality of figure shaped members can bepositioned to rest.
 23. The water toy according to claim 11, furthercomprising: positioning and resting hole portions which are provided onan upper surface of the toy main body and where the plurality of figureshaped members can be positioned to rest.
 24. The water toy according toclaim 12, further comprising: positioning and resting hole portionswhich are provided on an upper surface of the toy main body and wherethe plurality of figure shaped members can be positioned to rest. 25.The water toy according to claim 13, further comprising: positioning andresting hole portions which are provided on an upper surface of the toymain body and where the plurality of figure shaped members can bepositioned to rest.